February 14. It was very cold today - in the 20’s - and the air felt icy; but it was good to have our hearts warmed by the Word of God. Mrs. Surrett’s teaching on Seeking the Lord has been a blessing. She continued this morning with more thoughts from II Chronicles, spending time on the story of King Asa who started well, seeking and relying on the LORD for victory; but did not end well, relying on the strength of an ungodly king for deliverance and on the physicians for healing.In the morning service, Pastor Ogle preached on “Love Your Neighbor”, a very convicting message. We are thankful for the truth and the power of the Word. This evening was the sweetheart banquet, planned and prepared by Pastor Caleb and his wife and helpers. What a tremendous job they did! All the meeting chairs were moved out, and small individual tables were set up in the auditorium with one couple at each table. The tables were draped with white tablecloths. Red tablescarves laid across the center of the tables were dotted with red and crystal clear small glass hearts. Each table had a different decoration, prepared by Rebecca J - either a candle or flower arrangement and other little candles besides. After prayer, the meal was served by high school and college students, most of them wearing white shirts/blouses and black trousers/skirts. There was live music - hymns beautifully played by Christian G. on the violin and Rachel P. on the piano. Drinks were served first (either water or sweet tea), followed by salads, then the main meal (mashed potatoes, roast beef, carrots, and baked apple), and last of all strawberry cheesecake. Dr. Love had been invited to come and speak to us. His theme was “Strengthening the Marriage,” but his main topic tonight was “Fear” - its source (the Fall and Satan - Genesis 3:10) and its solutions. We thank the Lord for His blessings throughout the day and the privilege of sitting under the teaching of His Word and having fellowship with His people. “ If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” James 2:8

​February 13. Mel came at 9:00 this morning to pick up Daddy, and they took the furniture Mel had given us over to a friend's house to be stored there. We are thankful for their willingness to store that for us. I was thankful for the quiet and a little extra time to pray. Also sent a file to Christy and Connie with the next set of Sunday school lessons to be printed and a couple more visuals to be made. Wrote another e-mail as well. Daddy got back a little after 10:00, and Christy and Connie pulled in shortly after Mel pulled out. This afternoon, I relaxed and worked on some crochet projects. Also went out for a little stretch in the fresh air. Christy and Connie left around 6:00 or so; and shortly after that, Daddy called Owena. He had been trying for two or three days to get in touch with someone in Owena, but couldn’t make connection with anyone. This evening, he was able to make connection with Philemon; and then Daddy hung up while Philemon went to let some of the other men know. After a few minutes, Daddy called back and talked to Matthew and to David for a while.

Sunday School Visuals. Words on the top visual are "Mesi" (Mercy) and "Marimari" (Grace)

January 11. Today we stayed home. I got journal notes proofread and sent off to Connie. Then Daddy and I checked more of Matthew. This afternoon, I got the January progress report ready and sent it to Pastor O. Also figured out what visuals will be needed for the Sunday school lessons done thus far and sent off a list to Connie. Worked on other lessons after that. “28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28,29

February 12. Last night we put out one of the glue traps because the night before I kept hearing noises during the night. Didn’t hear any noises last night, but when I looked at the glue trap this morning, there was a teeny tiny creature on it. Don’t know what happened to our big little mousey, but this one was a baby. Poor little mousey. Today was shopping day - WalMart and Aldi. We went to the meat market too, but didn’t find what we wanted today. Before we got done shopping, snow had started to fall; and by the time we got home, a good amount of snow was falling and was sticking to the ground. The snow flurries didn’t last long, however, and the snow soon melted because it was too warm out. Finished up a set of Sunday school lessons today, got memory verses set up for printing, and sent a file to Connie. Also made a strap for my Bible with some pretty black and gold ribbon I had bought at WalMart.“11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Hebrews 13:11-14

February 8. We had a busy day today, although we didn’t get much done at home. Spent time this morning looking into housing. Then went out and looked at some houses around Shelby. Came back to the house for a short time, had lunch, and then went out to visit the Taylors. Stopped at Ingles on the way to get Jan some flowers. Enjoyed our visit with them. Stopped at Neighborhood WalMart in KM on the way home to get a few groceries. It was after 3:00 when we got back to the house. Put the food away and had a nice nap. Looked at more houses until supper time.

February 10. Busy this morning getting all the monthly updates ready to send off. Sent a file to Christy of the ones to be printed and mailed. Then sent all the others out by e-mail. Afterward Daddy and I went out to the mall to walk. Didn’t walk long because my knee and hip were hurting. Stopped in at Marshalls where Daddy found some Hazelnut coffee marked down so he bought that. Then we went to Big Lots and did some shopping. And on the way home, we stopped at Verizon and Daddy paid the phone bill. This afternoon, we worked on checking Matthew. And this evening, we were off to church. It was good to be there. Seemed like a small group tonight. Pastor Ogle preached on Genesis 31, all the emotional decisions that were made and actions that were taken and the consequences.

​​February 6. We set the glue trap out last night but big little mousy never showed up. Guess he got too scared yesterday after the mouse chase with these two large human beings. Neither of us slept well last night. It took Daddy a long time to get to sleep because of coughing spasms and me because of his coughing spasms. It was going on 6:30 before I actually got out of bed, and a bit later than that before Daddy got up. Then I found myself in a rush because we had a 9:00 appointment to look at a house and had to leave here by 8:30. After a shower, I went to the kitchen to have my morning drink and read my Bible. Then it was time to think about breakfast. I had completely forgotten that it was pancake day too until I said, “Let’s see, what’s for breakfast this morning.” “Pancakes,” came the answer. “Oh, yes.” I was thankful we had bought some pancake mix at Trader Joe’s the other day. It didn’t take long to mix up the pancakes and get them on the griddle. Saturday is also wash day so as soon as Daddy’s pancakes and eggs were ready, I stripped the bed and put the bedding in the washing machine along with the towels and washcloths. Stuck my everyday sweater in there too. It was going on 8:00 before I was able to get back to the kitchen and get my own breakfast. Christy and Connie arrived before 8:30 and shortly after that, we left for Bessemer City to look at the house. We followed the owner’s instructions as far as Bessemer City, and then we were lost. Daddy called him to let him know where we were. We were really off track because he had given us the wrong route so he and his wife came to get us and show us the way. The house is just what we have been looking for - four bedroom, two bathroom, spacious double wide mobile home; nice fenced-in back yard. We just pray that if it is the one the Lord has for us, we will be able to meet the financial requirements. The owners were very nice, and we spent a long time there just chatting with them. Finished another Sunday school lesson this afternoon and also a crocheting project. Christy and Connie left early this evening since they had come early this morning. “2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it…. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief….” Hebrews 4:2,6

February 7. Up about 6:00 this morning. Dinner needed to be cooked before we went to church. Oven-baked some chicken breasts and cooked a pot of rice. Mrs. Surrett continued her lesson on Seeking the Lord this morning. Pastor Caleb preached the morning service from Mark 3:1-6 about Jesus’ healing of the man’s withered hand and the exercise of faith that was required of the man before he could be healed. It was a good message. The music was a blessing too, with Bro. Hefner leading the choir this morning. Pastor and Mrs. O. are gone away for their anniversary, and the Bru’s are gone to Nassau for meetings. This evening Ethan, an Ambassador student, preached on I Peter 5:7, Casting Cares. I believe it was a needy message for all of us who were there.

​​February 3. A rainy morning. We didn’t go anywhere today. This morning Daddy got in touch with a place in GA about printing a Pidgin tract and our new prayer cards. Then I had some changes to make to fit the tract on an 8 1/2 by 11 page instead of on its original A4. As soon as that was done, I sent those two files off for printing. This afternoon, I completed a couple more Sunday school lessons. We were thankful to the Lord for a giving us a gentle rain and not too hard for traveling to church and back this evening. Pastor Ogle preached on Genesis chapter 30, the sad rivalry within Jacob’s family. It was a surprise to see Bro. Stevens there tonight, and we enjoyed a little time fellowshipping with him after the service. “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 1:11

February 4. Went to bed a little after 11:00 last night since I didn’t feel sleepy earlier. Still couldn’t get to sleep for a long time. Consequently I got up late this morning. Showered and washed hair, had breakfast and quiet time, rewrote the shopping list, looked at ads for housing and then went off shopping. First stop, Big Lots. Found a couple things we needed, but other things not. Next stop WalMart. Saw a friend we hadn’t seen in a long time and gave her a big hug. Found most of what we were looking for there. Aldi was next; then the bank to cash a couple checks. The door handle fell off the restroom door when Daddy went in and tried to close the door. :-) Last stop (we thought) was Verizon to pay our bill. On the way, we noticed Mighty Dollar. Maybe we could stop in there and find candle holders which we couldn’t find anywhere else. When we got there, we found they were having a closing sale because they lost their lease. Everything (with a few exceptions) was buy three get one free. Many of the shelves were already empty. We looked around for quite a while and bought a few items. By then it was 1:00. Prepared a salad and spaghetti for supper. Ate. Did the dishes. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9 May we always see Jesus and keep our eyes on Him.

February 5. Quite a bit chillier this morning. As I was sitting in the rocking chair in the front room eating my breakfast this morning, I saw a little thing go scurrying out from behind the end table and under the couch. “Oh!” I cried out. “Huh,” said Daddy. And then it scurried out from under the couch and into the bathroom. “Oh!” I cried out again. “A rat; a mouse; a big little mouse, I guess.” Daddy was off to the bathroom to try to scare it out of hiding, but it didn’t come out. Then to the bedroom, but no sign of it there either. He came back to the kitchen, and just a few minutes later, that big little creature scurried back across the room (under the couch and behind the end table). “I’ll open the door, and you scare it out from hiding, and maybe it will go outside,” I said. But the creature completely ignored the open door. Just kept dashing back and forth between me and Daddy. It finally managed to by-pass me, run through the bathroom, and into the bedroom. We haven’t seen it again the rest of the day, but it must be hiding in here somewhere. Later in the morning, Daddy had a call returned from the owner of the house he had called on yesterday. We are to go and see the house early in the morning. We pray that the Lord will make clear His will. I got some papers ready to send to the girls for printing and also wrote to them about other matters of business as well as to tell them about some of yesterday’s events and this morning’s furry visitor. Around 11:00, Daddy went out to do some errands. It was after 12:00 and Daddy wasn’t back yet. I started to get my lunch, and in a few minutes he came in. So we had lunch together and then lay down for nap. Daddy couldn’t sleep, however, because he went into a bad coughing spell whenever he lay down. I didn’t get much sleep either because of his coughing. After nap, I cleaned the bathroom sink, and then we worked on translation and finished checking through Matthew chapter 11. Praise the Lord for His help thus far. “18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:18,19

​​February 1. Didn’t wake up until after 7:00. So I had a short morning today. After breakfast and quiet time, we went out and spent most of the morning house hunting but finding nothing suitable. We did stop at Ingles in Kings Mountain on the way back from looking at a place out that direction. It was about 1:00 before we got back home and had lunch and 2:00 before we lay down for nap.This afternoon, I started work on the next set of Sunday school lessons; and this evening, I crocheted a little while, and did the dishes. “Preach the word; be instant (be present, be at hand, stand by) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” II Timothy 4:2

February 2. Started laundry first thing this morning so it would be done before we went to Charlotte. Daddy left about 9:10 to pick up Connie and was back here by 10:00. Then she told us that her chiropractor appointment wasn’t until 11:20 today. We went ahead and left anyway as Daddy thought we could stop at Ingles in KM (Kings Mountain) and see if any organic chicken was marked down. It was too late when we realized that we had already passed by the exit for Ingles. So he thought maybe he could get gas somewhere along the way, but we didn’t see any good gas prices and no service stations at all while on the interstate. We had about 25 minutes to kill when we turned onto the street where the little plaza is where the chiropractor is. We saw a Dollar Tree in the first plaza so decided we could stop there for a few minutes. As we drove into the plaza, we saw a Neighborhood WalMart off to the right so decided to go there instead. We did find some organic chicken there that was reduced. After that, we went on to the chiropractor. From there we went to Trader Joe’s to do a little shopping. By the time we finished shopping, it was already 12:45. I had gotten a salad for my lunch, and it was a big salad so took me a while to eat it all. Daddy got a tuna wrap which Connie and I worked on unwrapping while Daddy was driving. It was really taped up tight. By the time we got it unwrapped, we were already back on the interstate. Too bad we hadn’t opened it while still in TJ’s parking lot because we could have taken it back inside. It was really spoiled. Daddy had taken one bite before I smelled it. Connie had already smelled it from the back. We were glad Connie had some activated charcoal with her. We wrapped that wrap back up and threw it away, and Daddy stopped at a Chick-Fil-A and got a chicken sandwich. He sat there and ate it before we got back on the road. Stopped in SC on the way home to get gas. It was 2:45 when we arrived home. I was ready for a good nap.This afternoon and evening, I worked on another Sunday school lesson and fixed up some alphabet letters which Connie should have printed backwards because they have to be turned over to the glittery colored side. Christy came after work, and they left for home before 9:00. “11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

​​January 31. The Lord gave us a nice warm day today. And a wonderful day of fellowship and of hearing of the Word at church. Mrs. Surrett continued teaching on “Seeking the Lord” as our goal for 2016. Pastor Ogle preached this morning from I Kings 21:20-29, “The Value of Repentance,” a very needy subject. This evening, his text was Micah 6:8, talking about ethics and giving some principles for making decisions on matters that are not clearly defined in the Scripture. Daddy and I were invited to the Walton’s house for dinner and enjoyed a good time of fellowship there too, as well as a good meal. Came home around 3:00. Had a little nap and a snack before going back for the evening service. Spent some time afterward talking with the Redmond family, missionary-evangelist from SC, who were visiting at EBC this evening. Mrs. Redmond is a relative of Margaret Stringer who wrote several books about her missionary life in West Irian. Daddy read one of the books when we were out in Bowie. ​ “7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel….” II Timothy 1:7-10

​​January 28. A quiet day today. Washed dishes first thing this morning because they didn’t get done last night. Wrote a couple e-mails. Wrote some letters to go in the packet to PNG and got the packet all ready to be mailed tomorrow. Did a little crocheting and finished the red hat. This evening, we checked Matthew chapter 9.

January 29. It was into the wee hours of the morning before I ever got to sleep last night. My head just didn’t feel right when I lay it down on the pillow so could not get comfortable. It was almost 7:00 when I got up this morning. Daddy went out around mid-morning to mail the packet to PNG and get a few groceries. Then this afternoon, we both went out. First to South Mountain Farms Market to get some meat. Then to the thrift store to find a chair pad. (Didn’t find one, but I did find a blue shirt, a jumper pattern, and some yarn for $1.00/skein.) Our next stop was the Ambassador Baptist College book store. Then Mel and Ellen’s to look at some furniture that Mel had planned to take to the flea market. (Looks like we can use most of what he has.) And last of all to C&C’s house for supper. We were supposed to meet "C" too, but she never showed up. ("C" is a Jehovah's Witness lady to whom Christy and Connie have been witnessing). Connie made potato/tomato soup for supper and fixed a fruit salad for dessert. We didn’t stay long because Daddy is feeling unwell with a cold. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Timothy 3:16

January 30. Today’s work time was given to planning a new prayer card and a letterhead for our newsletters. After Christy and Connie came late morning, we took a ride down to Grover and looked at a house for rent. Came back and had lunch and nap. Then we went out again. Christy needed to stop at Ingles to get some tomato sauce for her pizza. It was going on 5:00 when we got back. I set right to work preparing potatoes and a beef roast to put in the oven for supper. After getting that into the oven, I cut up broccoli and cauliflower to cook on top of the stove. Then I did the dishes - LOTS of them. I was certainly glad to sit down when all that was done. The roast took a long time getting done so we ate potatoes and veggies for supper and had some of the roast later. It tasted so good. Sliced it up for sandwiches and put half into the freezer for later. This evening, we played a game together; and before C&C went home, we read a Psalm and prayed. My sister had called earlier in the evening to see if we had gotten our package and to share some prayer requests.

​​January 27. After breakfast and quiet time, there was laundry to do. When that was done, we went out house hunting and furniture hunting. Looked at one house on Willow Street uptown. It was in pretty bad shape and smelled bad too. From there we went to Laughlin Furniture and looked around a long time. It is a huge place. Headed to the other end of Lafayette and passed J & D Furniture which had a sale sign in the windown so stopped in there to see what they had. The owner (?) came up to Daddy, shook his hand, and said “I know Jesus loves me too.” (Daddy had on his hat with the logo “I know Jesus loves me.”) We looked all around in there, but things were very expensive even with the sales. Next stop was at Badcocks. They had nice household things and good sales. Praise the Lord, they also had a chair that I can use at church -- a folding patio chair that seemed quite comfortable when I tried it out. Betsy called it a zero gravity chair. We bought that and looked around at everything else. Before coming back home, we made a stop at Fred’s and got some plastic forks. In the afternoon, I put some graphics in the Love, Mercy, Grace booklet; and I believe that is now ready for printing. All we need is a house, a place to put a printer, and a printer to do the work. Will work on some other things while we are waiting. Christy and Connie came here and rode to church with us. The folding chair was very comfortable. It was cold, however, so I want to get a soft, flat cushion to put on the seat. A young Ambassador student named Evelyn played a beautiful offertory (an arrangement of Sweet Hour of Prayer). There was a video presentation from the Bonikowskys (missionaries to Spain) plus other prayer requests and time to pray. Thus Pastor Ogle’s message was a bit shorter this evening. It was a good message, however, from Genesis 29, showing again how we reap what we sow. We are thankful for all the people who have said they are praying for us to find a nice house. We continue to wait and watch and seek and pray. There was a package from my sister. She had taken our anniversary picture that Connie put on our blog and printed and framed it. That was a pretty special surprise. Went by SC to get gas on the way home. “3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer….” II Thessalonians 1:3-5

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This clock shows the time in Papua New Guinea - 14 hours ahead of Easter Standard Time during Daylight Savings. And 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time the rest of the year.

Owena Saints to Pray For

Apekio and Family Apekio is full of joy over her salvation. Her husband, Daniel, was also recently saved. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for Apekio's children to be saved.

Devit and Family Devit and Silvia have often ben an encouragement to Dad and Mom. Thank God for this and pray that they will remain strong in the Lord.

Doesn't Erik look very happy about his salvation?

Erik and Family Please continue to pray for Erik and his family.

Matyu A Matyu A was recently saved. Pray that he will grow in the Lord and become a strong servant for Jesus.

Matyu Y Matyu Y was also recently saved. Pray that he will grow and be a good testimony for the Lord.

Erisa Erisa is a young Christian with many questions. Thank God for her enquiring heart. And please pray for her to have a clear understanding of spiritual things and a steady growth in the Lord. Also, please pray for her husband, Anevina, to be right with the Lord and to be a leader in the home.

Jevin and Family,including

their baby, Judy, Mom's namesake.

Maura This young lady was recently baptized. Thank the Lord. Please pray for her continued growth in the Lord.

Betty is a new Christian. Please pray for her to grow in the Lord and be strong in Him.

Please Pray For

The spiritual needs of the Owena people. Many of them still do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

There are many children in Owena. Who will go help reach them for Jesus? Will you?